Assistant Professor of Teaching, Manufacturing and Operations

Assistant/Associate Professor of Teaching, Manufacturing and Operations

The Polytechnic@UofM, University of Memphis

Position Summary

The Polytechnic@UofM at the University of Memphis invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Teaching in Manufacturing and Operations. This 12-month teaching position adds capacity in the manufacturing and operations teaching areas that run through nearly every program the Polytechnic offers, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition, the Polytechnic is committed to integrating AI into its programs, and this program will be integral to those efforts.

The successful candidate will teach how work is designed and measured, how quality is built into a process, how production and distribution are planned and controlled, and how facilities are laid out to make all of that work. These courses serve students in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs in Manufacturing Supervision, Construction Leadership, Information Technology, and Applied Artificial Intelligence, as well as graduate students in the Master of Science in Engineering Technology and the manufacturing concentration of the Master of Science in Engineering Management. 

Memphis is one of the most concentrated distribution and logistics economies in the United States, and the region's employers hire directly into the operations, quality, and facilities roles this coursework prepares students for. The position is a good fit for someone who wants their teaching to sit close to working plants and distribution centers, and who is interested in helping the department extend into materials handling, automation, and production process design.

 

Application Process

Applicants must apply online via the University of Memphis WorkforUM site. Required application materials include:

• A detailed letter of application addressing qualifications and teaching philosophy.

• A current curriculum vitae.

• Contact information for three professional or academic references.

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Teaching and instruction: Deliver a full teaching load of four courses in fall and four in spring, with summer teaching based on departmental needs, across undergraduate and graduate sections. Core teaching areas include work design and improvement, quality improvement and statistical quality methods, production and operations planning and control, and facility design and layout. Responsibilities include developing and updating course materials and syllabi, leading class and laboratory sessions, and assessing student work through assignments, projects, and examinations.

• Graduate project supervision: Direct graduate student projects and internships, guide students through project definition and execution, and serve on and chair graduate project committees.

• Curriculum development: Participate in the ongoing development and revision of the curriculum. The department is actively building out coursework in materials handling and automated systems, and in production processes and process planning. The successful candidate will have real latitude to shape and launch this coursework.

• Online course development: Develop and deliver online and blended sections. The department's graduate and BAS programs are moving toward fully online, and the manufacturing and operations courses are a central part of that shift.

• Student advising and mentorship: Serve as an academic advisor to undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them on academic pathways and careers in manufacturing, quality, and operations.

• Program and departmental service: Contribute to program assessment and to the continuous-improvement and reporting work that supports ABET accreditation of the Engineering Technology program, and participate in committees and other service supporting the mission of the Polytechnic@UofM.

• Industry engagement: Maintain working relationships with regional manufacturers, distributors, and logistics employers; support student internships, projects, and placement; and bring current industry practice into the classroom.

• Professional engagement: Stay current with developments in manufacturing and operations practice, including the growing role of data and artificial intelligence in operations, and engage in activities that foster professional growth.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A Master's degree in engineering technology, operations or supply chain management, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated record of excellent teaching at the university level or substantial professional experience in manufacturing, distribution, or operations.

• Experience with and commitment to online and blended learning delivery, as a growing share of the department's coursework is offered virtually.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• A terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field.

• Professional certification such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, SME Certified Manufacturing Engineer or Technologist, ASCM/APICS CPIM or CSCP, or PMP.

• Teaching or practice experience in lean methods and manufacturing strategy.

• Experience with materials handling systems, warehouse and distribution operations, or facility layout and simulation software.

• Experience with automation, robotics, or programmable control in a production setting.

• Working knowledge of ERP, MRP, or production scheduling systems.

• Experience applying artificial intelligence and data analysis tools to manufacturing and operations problems.

• Proven experience in curriculum development for online and in-person delivery.

• Experience supporting an ABET-accredited engineering technology program.

• Evidence of a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

About UsThe University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.